Small Group Instruction: A Forum for Teaching Students with Learning Challenges

This book presents information about the design and provision of small group instruction to students who present persistent, ongoing learning challenges. This includes students who receive special education services as well as at risk students who need to be provided remedial instruction. At the outset, reasons for using a small group arrangement are offered. These include (a) limits to public school funding that do not allow for 1:1 instructional arrangements to be used with most students who present learning challenges, (b) the instructional efficiency that can be realized through small group instruction, and (c) the fact that group instructional arrangements predominate in schools’ least restrictive environments. Subsequently, numerous details that instructors must attend to as they oversee small group instruction are discussed. These details include identifying which students will comprise a group and the specific curricula content they will be taught, designing an appropriate environment, and using data to drive the provision of effective and efficient instruction. While the primary audience for this book is preservice and practicing teachers, it is appropriate for anyone tasked to lead a small group. Further, the book’s content can be applied to various curricula, including academic and functional (or life skills) content.

Table of Contents:
Dedication Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1: Small Group Instruction: Establishing the Conditions for Presenting Effective Instruction Chapter 2: General Education Classroom Instruction: The Reference Point for Intensive Small Group Instruction Chapter 3: Features of Intensive Small Group Instruction Chapter 4: Preparing for Small Group Instruction Chapter 5: Small Group Instructional Strategies Chapter 6: Assessment and Small Group Instruction Chapter 7: Teaching Functional Content by Way of Small Group Instruction Epilogue Bibliography Glossary

About the Author :
Dr. Timothy E. Morse’s work in the field of education spans nearly 40 years, during which time he founded and directed a school for students with autism and held positions as a university professor, public school special education administrator, and special education teacher. He has authored nearly 70 articles in peer and non-peer reviewed journals, made numerous presentations at international/national/state/local conferences, and continues to learn about the lifelong journey of individuals with disabilities from his interactions with several family members who received special education services while in school.

Review :
Just as with Dr. Morse’s first book in his educational series, Response to Intervention - Refining Instruction to Meet Student Needs, this concise desk handbook is designed for educators and non-educators alike. Simply put, the “who, what, why, how, when and where” of small group instruction complete with examples are provided. He expertly guides you through implementing the small group intervention as if he were sitting beside you. Without a doubt, this book could easily become your #1 reference handbook in your library! It is also a great professional development resource for teachers and student teachers. In this book Dr. Morse answers key questions about presenting effective small group instruction that may or may not be special education. This books shows educators how to effectively design small group arrangements with a unique balance of accommodations and exposure to the core curriculum. Dr. Morse will help you rethink your planning to maximize the power of your small group instruction to differentiate your teaching. As an added bonus, just like his other book, this is also an easy read and it feels like he is speaking directly to his audience. This book serves as an excellent toolkit for conducting small group instruction. Although students with learning challenges are the focus student population in the book, the concepts addressed are transferable to all student populations. The easy-to-read format provides a step-by-step process designed for real life application. Operational definitions of key concepts and words facilitate comprehension of the subject matter. This is a must have resource for the novice to the seasoned instructor.